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Post by Deleted on Feb 2, 2021 16:26:50 GMT
I know! Interesting, though, i think. The extinction before the one that wiped out the Dinos (except the birds that are, biologically speaking, dinosaurs) was, ironically, the extinction that wiped out the Dinos competetors at about 205-200 MYA. Makes one wonder when we will be wiped out and what lifeform will replace us, doesn't it?? I have read articles which say humans will be gone after the next extinction but cockroaches will never be gone!! I have even read an article that stated that if we continue as today that might start as soon as 2100!! Others i have read makes a case that we live in an ongoing extinction event and quote statistics about how many species that have died out since 1800 until now and how many of the remaining are endangered and likely to be extinct in the next 100 years. Interesting but frightening. And, yeah, cockroaches are hardy creatures, non specialists and can live in any environment including arctic so some form of them will probably survive us.
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Post by drawntokatet on Feb 2, 2021 17:08:31 GMT
Currently reading Calibration 74 by William Aicher. (Available on Amazon) Numbers. Keys. Locks and boxes. Mermaids, eggs, and trees. Past, present, future. Time collapses and expands. Mazes, paths, and destiny. A skull. A library card. A mouse. Truth and lies and peace.
A surreal adventure of existential existence and a search for meaning and escape. Written in the midst of a global pandemic, this story is an experimental poetic flow-of-consciousness experience between reality and fantasy.
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Post by Steffen on Feb 8, 2021 0:58:40 GMT
When I was a child, my mother had a cupboard filled with old books. Among them were collections of myth & folklore from places like Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Africa and, of course, Greece. The tales of the Greek gods and heroes blew open my young imagination like nothing else, and cemented my love of fantasy and superheroes.
Several years ago I read Neil Gaiman's fantastic collection of Norse Mythology. Since then I've been looking for a good collection of Greek mythology that wasn't an academic treatise. I'm happy to say I found it in Stephen Fry's Mythos collection. Fry's book is similar to Gaiman's in that he has done the near impossible task of wrestling a complicated mythology with a nearly infinite cast into an easy-to-read linear narrative that is often humorous and surprisingly sensitive and touching at all the right moments. Fry also expertly segues into reminders of just how much of our everyday language and culture began with the Greeks. This book (the first of a trilogy) has happily tapped into my inner child.
I'd consider this required reading for fans of fantasy, folklore or even those with a passing curiosity of just how influential Greek culture has been. I'm about a third of the way through, and have included one of my favourite excerpts (so far) below, from the tale of Prometheus (let's just say us puny mortals owe him big-time).
Zeus called up to him. ‘You will lie chained to this rock forever. There is no hope of escape or forgiveness, not in all perpetuity. Each day these eagles will come to tear out your liver, just as you tore out my heart. They will eat it in front of your eyes. Since you are immortal it will grow back every night. This torture will never end. Each day the agony will seem greater. You will have nothing but time in which to consider the enormity of your crime and the folly of your actions. You who were named “foresight” showed none when you defied the King of the Gods.’
Zeus’s voice rang from the canyons and ravines. ‘Well? Have you nothing to say?’
Prometheus sighed. ‘You are wrong, Zeus,’ he said. ‘I thought my actions through with great care. I weighed my comfort against the future of the race of man. I see now that they will flourish and prosper independently of any immortals, even you. Knowing that is balm for any pain.’
Zeus stared at his former friend for a long time before speaking. ‘You are not worth eagles,’ he said with an awful coldness. ‘Let them be vultures.’
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Post by wolf on Feb 8, 2021 1:01:05 GMT
When I was a child, my mother had a cupboard filled with old books. Among them were collections of myth & folklore from places like Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Africa and, of course, Greece. The tales of the Greek gods and heroes blew open my young imagination like nothing else, and cemented my love of fantasy and superheroes.
Several years ago I read Neil Gaiman's fantastic collection of Norse Mythology. Since then I've been looking for a good collection of Greek mythology that wasn't an academic treatise. I'm happy to say I found it in Stephen Fry's Mythos collection. Fry's book is similar to Gaiman's in that he has done the near impossible task of wrestling a complicated mythology with a nearly infinite cast into an easy-to-read linear narrative that is often humorous and surprisingly sensitive and touching at all the right moments. Fry also expertly segues into reminders of just how much of our everyday language and culture began with the Greeks. This book (the first of a trilogy) has happily tapped into my inner child.
I'd consider this required reading for fans of fantasy, folklore or even those with a passing curiosity of just how influential Greek culture has been. I'm about a third of the way through, and have included one of my favourite excerpts (so far) below, from the tale of Prometheus (let's just say us puny mortals owe him big-time).
Zeus called up to him. ‘You will lie chained to this rock forever. There is no hope of escape or forgiveness, not in all perpetuity. Each day these eagles will come to tear out your liver, just as you tore out my heart. They will eat it in front of your eyes. Since you are immortal it will grow back every night. This torture will never end. Each day the agony will seem greater. You will have nothing but time in which to consider the enormity of your crime and the folly of your actions. You who were named “foresight” showed none when you defied the King of the Gods.’
Zeus’s voice rang from the canyons and ravines. ‘Well? Have you nothing to say?’
Prometheus sighed. ‘You are wrong, Zeus,’ he said. ‘I thought my actions through with great care. I weighed my comfort against the future of the race of man. I see now that they will flourish and prosper independently of any immortals, even you. Knowing that is balm for any pain.’
Zeus stared at his former friend for a long time before speaking. ‘You are not worth eagles,’ he said with an awful coldness. ‘Let them be vultures.’
WUITIIQGUyMrvFxIgkNw
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Post by wolf on Feb 8, 2021 1:14:44 GMT
When I was a child, my mother had a cupboard filled with old books. Among them were collections of myth & folklore from places like Scotland, Wales, Ireland, Africa and, of course, Greece. The tales of the Greek gods and heroes blew open my young imagination like nothing else, and cemented my love of fantasy and superheroes.
Several years ago I read Neil Gaiman's fantastic collection of Norse Mythology. Since then I've been looking for a good collection of Greek mythology that wasn't an academic treatise. I'm happy to say I found it in Stephen Fry's Mythos collection. Fry's book is similar to Gaiman's in that he has done the near impossible task of wrestling a complicated mythology with a nearly infinite cast into an easy-to-read linear narrative that is often humorous and surprisingly sensitive and touching at all the right moments. Fry also expertly segues into reminders of just how much of our everyday language and culture began with the Greeks. This book (the first of a trilogy) has happily tapped into my inner child.
I'd consider this required reading for fans of fantasy, folklore or even those with a passing curiosity of just how influential Greek culture has been. I'm about a third of the way through, and have included one of my favourite excerpts (so far) below, from the tale of Prometheus (let's just say us puny mortals owe him big-time).
Zeus called up to him. ‘You will lie chained to this rock forever. There is no hope of escape or forgiveness, not in all perpetuity. Each day these eagles will come to tear out your liver, just as you tore out my heart. They will eat it in front of your eyes. Since you are immortal it will grow back every night. This torture will never end. Each day the agony will seem greater. You will have nothing but time in which to consider the enormity of your crime and the folly of your actions. You who were named “foresight” showed none when you defied the King of the Gods.’
Zeus’s voice rang from the canyons and ravines. ‘Well? Have you nothing to say?’
Prometheus sighed. ‘You are wrong, Zeus,’ he said. ‘I thought my actions through with great care. I weighed my comfort against the future of the race of man. I see now that they will flourish and prosper independently of any immortals, even you. Knowing that is balm for any pain.’
Zeus stared at his former friend for a long time before speaking. ‘You are not worth eagles,’ he said with an awful coldness. ‘Let them be vultures.’ ------ Zeus, the King of the gods and the father of Wisdom incarnate herself, knew things that the great titan Prometheus did not. Mortal's were not ready for what Prometheus bestowed upon them. Hence came the story of Pandora (His Brother Epimetheus' wife) to restore a balance. I have always liked how the classic Greek stories have varied from place to place amongst the isles and mainland of Greece. More than a few versions for every one of them almost.
The story of Eros and Psyche is a good example of how other cultures have taken these tales and retold them, making them their own. The medieval fairytale "Hans my hedgehog" is one. And I think that "Beauty and Beast" is another loosely based on that as well.
Love your post, Steffen. Good to see you. 🙂
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Post by Steffen on Feb 8, 2021 1:32:32 GMT
Zeus, the King of the gods and the father of Wisdom incarnate herself, knew things that the great titan Prometheus did not. Mortal's were not ready for what Prometheus bestowed upon them. Hence came the story of Pandora (His Brother Epimetheus' wife) to restore a balance. I have always liked how the classic Greek stories have varied from place to place amongst the isles and mainland of Greece. More than a few versions for every one of them almost. The story of Eros and Psyche is a good example of how other cultures have taken these tales and retold them, making them their own. The medieval fairytale "Hans my hedgehog" is one. And I think that "Beauty and Beast" is another loosely based on that as well.
Love your post, Steffen. Good to see you. 🙂
Ohhh don't get me started on what the West has done to the Grimm Fairy tales, because I'll rant for the rest of the evening. That cupboard I mentioned? It's also where I discovered Tarzan, Robin Hood, Conan, and lavishly illustrated tales of the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson and Aesop. I grew up detesting Disney films because they were nothing like the stories I read as a child. Sanitizing those stories and making them politically correct have done nothing but crippled the imagination of children, in my opinion. But that's a conversation for another day.
Thanks for the shout-out, Wolf. The mention of Hans my Hedgehog brought to mind the excellent Jim Henson Storyteller series a few decades ago. I'm trying to spend less time behind the television and more with all those books on my Kindle!
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Post by wolf on Feb 8, 2021 2:20:51 GMT
Ohhh don't get me started on what the West has done to the Grimm Fairy tales, because I'll rant for the rest of the evening. That cupboard I mentioned? It's also where I discovered Tarzan, Robin Hood, Conan, and lavishly illustrated tales of the Brothers Grimm, Hans Christian Anderson and Aesop. I grew up detesting Disney films because they were nothing like the stories I read as a child. Sanitizing those stories and making them politically correct have done nothing but crippled the imagination of children, in my opinion. But that's a conversation for another day.
Thanks for the shout-out, Wolf. The mention of Hans my Hedgehog brought to mind the excellent Jim Henson Storyteller series a few decades ago. I'm trying to spend less time behind the television and more with all those books on my Kindle!
Yep, I remembered ABC's and Henson's series, "The Story Teller" with John Hurt, and "Hans my hedgehog" being one of the tales. I think that story may have been a Grimm's. I had a copy of the original Grimm's Fairytales that my Great Aunt gave me, when I was in elementary school, thick book. It had the real dark original tales.
The next season of "The Story Teller" with Michael Gambon as the storyteller wasn't as good, really quite a disappointment (understatement there).
Very nice collection of classics in that cupboard Steffen. 🙂
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Post by Deleted on Feb 8, 2021 20:44:08 GMT
Started It Walks by NIght by John Dickson Carr. An author from the golden age of crime writing that should be more remembered. People still talk about Christie and Sayers but Carr is up there too. His speciality is locked room mysteries and he is darn good at it. He often likes to spice his stories with horror/supernatural touches but in the end when the solution comes it is always totally logical without any supernatural factors. He is a master of the misdirect. I remember that Christie once said that very few mysteries confused her but that Mr. Carrs always did. In my book there is no higher praise.
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Post by Steffen on Feb 17, 2021 12:36:52 GMT
Director Martin Scorcese opines on the state of today's cinema in this essay published by Harpers magazine.
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Post by edwardjohn on Feb 19, 2021 20:46:08 GMT
Started The Tudors by Jane Bingham. Starts with the birth of Henry VII and ends with the death of Elisabeth the first. Good disposition of the book, the only thing so far that i'm not happy with is that she thinks, IMO, far too much of Polydore Virgil, the italian that wrote a history over England. He arrived in England in 1502 as rather inexperienced 17 year old boy/man. His opinion of the early reign of Henry VII and Richard III cant be seen, IMO again as more than at best second hand sources and often gossip. Henry VII reigned from 1485-1509. I also think she praises him a bit too much as king but thats just that opinions differ, not really a fault. She writes well and keep the narrative in a steady flow without stopping up as so often happens in history books. I am in the early years of Henry VIII now before the really big problems started to arrive for him. The problem with this period is that sources which are somewhat contemporary are lauded simply because of their contemporary nature.
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Post by Deleted on Feb 20, 2021 9:32:48 GMT
Started The Tudors by Jane Bingham. Starts with the birth of Henry VII and ends with the death of Elisabeth the first. Good disposition of the book, the only thing so far that i'm not happy with is that she thinks, IMO, far too much of Polydore Virgil, the italian that wrote a history over England. He arrived in England in 1502 as rather inexperienced 17 year old boy/man. His opinion of the early reign of Henry VII and Richard III cant be seen, IMO again as more than at best second hand sources and often gossip. Henry VII reigned from 1485-1509. I also think she praises him a bit too much as king but thats just that opinions differ, not really a fault. She writes well and keep the narrative in a steady flow without stopping up as so often happens in history books. I am in the early years of Henry VIII now before the really big problems started to arrive for him. The problem with this period is that sources which are somewhat contemporary are lauded simply because of their contemporary nature. That is the problem with all contemporary sources. They are biased and you see it clearest when a dynasty changes, like from Richard III to Henry VII or say from Nero to Vespasian in Roman times. But as long as the historian are aware of this it need not be a big problem. In the above example Bingham ought to have known that these sources cant be trusted to say the truth all the time and mentioned it. People who write these things lives in these times and must make sure they are on the right side of power, so of course they dont write bad about a ruling monarch.
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Post by edwardjohn on Feb 20, 2021 14:41:03 GMT
The problem with this period is that sources which are somewhat contemporary are lauded simply because of their contemporary nature. That is the problem with all contemporary sources. They are biased and you see it clearest when a dynasty changes, like from Richard III to Henry VII or say from Nero to Vespasian in Roman times. But as long as the historian are aware of this it need not be a big problem. In the above example Bingham ought to have known that these sources cant be trusted to say the truth all the time and mentioned it. People who write these things lives in these times and must make sure they are on the right side of power, so of course they dont write bad about a ruling monarch. Absolutely, so long as the historian knows the background of the man responsible for the primary source then they can gleam an idea as to their motivations and why they say certain things and even overlook certain other things. My favourite Roman historian was Tacitus.
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Post by edwardjohn on Feb 20, 2021 14:42:54 GMT
Director Martin Scorcese opines on the state of today's cinema in this essay published by Harpers magazine.
Scorsese is always right about these things.
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Post by drawntokatet on Feb 24, 2021 17:44:11 GMT
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Post by Deleted on Feb 27, 2021 3:37:47 GMT
Started So Cold The River by Michael Koryta. Heard a lot of good things about him so have high hopes.
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prufrock21
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Don't look for love. Just let it happen.
Posts: 219
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Post by prufrock21 on Feb 27, 2021 21:20:17 GMT
Biographies lately: Sontag by Benjamin Moser, Savage Beauty by Nancy Milford, Schrodinger by Walter Moore and Simone de Beauvoir by Deirdre Bair.
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Post by Dizzy on Mar 6, 2021 16:44:01 GMT
I Going To Start Reading All My Stephen King Books Through again because I forget so Much. I am Starting With The Green Mile though.
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Post by osnafrank on Mar 6, 2021 16:46:26 GMT
I Going To Start Reading All My Stephen King Books Through again because I forget so Much. I am Starting With The Green Mile though. Such a great book, enjoy your reading time Dizzy. smilie_winke_012
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Post by Dizzy on Mar 6, 2021 19:53:09 GMT
Oh Yes osnafrank I Remember it Being Really Good but also Really Sad. I Just don't Remember all Exactly Happens though.
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Post by Dizzy on Mar 11, 2021 22:57:25 GMT
Yep that Book was Even More Sad then I Remember. I Going to Read Pet Sematary Next though.
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